Holy moly, last weekend was insane! Sure, we were only 2-2 with our picks, but every matchup was great, every game played out well, and every single minute was exciting. We had one team win by 17, but the other three matchups were all within 3 points (1, 2, and 3 points, actually….). We also saw only one home team win (Indianapolis), and they had to stage the second largest comeback in NFL Playoff history. So…what does this mean? Nothing. It means absolutely nothing.

The Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs is one of the most exciting weekends of the year. You still have 4 games spanning 2 days, and you get to see teams that may have upset last week go into the stadiums of the league’s best teams and try to repeat their success. Oh, and did we mention that most are rematches of previous games this season? Put on the helmet kids, because this is going to be fun.

Saturday, Jan. 11
4:35 p.m. ET – New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks

There are so many things to think about here. From the Beastquake against the Saints during the 2010 playoffs, or the 34-7 drubbing by the Seahawks earlier this season, New Orleans has not had much luck in Seattle. And Seattle (and their fans) is hoping that continues.

The Teams:

The Seahawks and Saints have met a total of 12 times in the regular season, and have split the meetings right down the middle. But the playoffs? They have only played one other time, and that was the aforementioned Beastquake where the underdog Seahawks (they were the 7-9 Division Champs) won at home 41-36. This year, however, the Saints went up to Century Link Field and had a rough outing. The Saints played smart with only 1 turnover and 52 yards of penalties, but they could not move the ball on the NFL’s #1 scoring defense.

While it is never safe to think that history repeats itself, it is important to remember that the Seahawks are #1 in turnovers with 11 forced in the final 3 weeks of the season. If the Seahawks defense can continue to play with the intensity they ended the season with, they may roll again. Even the New York Times is on board with the defense: “Consider that in 1973 the Miami Dolphins allowed 92 passing yards per game, a modern-day record that will not be broken in the current passing environment. All statistics must be judged in the context of their era; under that light, the Seahawks’ pass defense looks to be one of the best in history.” But the Seahawks offense has been lackluster during that time, and will need to pick it up if they want to beat a much improved Saints defense.

Winner: Seattle

The Mascots:

This is almost not fair. Again, we have a dog and a Hanna Barbera villain up against a bird that doesn’t actually exist. Sure the ‘Hawks have an actual bird and a guy in an anthropomorphic bird costume named Blitz, but the Saints duo could easily team up and have “Blitz” tied to a railroad track in minutes.

Winner: The Saints again take this mascot round against another avian competitor.

The Beer:

Speaking of not fair… Travel+Leisure rated Seattle America’s 4th Best Beer City, USA Today rated Washington State 2nd and the Brewers Association ranked the state 8th in Capita / Craft Brewery in 2012.

Louisiana? Umm…rated 50th by the Brewers Association, New Orleans is 16th on the Travel+Leisure list, and not even listed on the USA Today list. This is pretty clear cut.

Winner: Seattle in a landslide

Prediction:

Seattle 24, New Orleans 16

Saturday, Jan. 11
8:15 p.m. ET – Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots

Can the power that Andrew Luck has tapped into continue against one of the Colt’s biggest rivals of the last decade? Can the Manning/Brady rivalry carry over into a Luck/Brady rivalry? Can Tom and his carousel of teammates continue the powerful run they are on? Can I think of any other questions?

The Teams:

Last weekend, my wife and I took a small road trip that included a ferry ride. We were listening intently to the craziness that was the Colts / Chiefs game that seemed to be getting out of the reach of Indianapolis. Suddenly, it was 24-7 Chiefs. Then it was 38-10 Chiefs. Then we got on the ferry, which reached shore during the post-game show. So….how about that last quarter and a half? Was it a Chiefs’ meltdown?

No. It was Andrew Luck. And his 443 yards passing.

He now faces Tom Brady and the Patriots, who have won their last three matchups against the Colts. Tom Brady leads the 3rd ranked offense in points scored and total yards, and a top-10 scoring defense, even as they have watched key pieces fall to injury. Jerod Mayo? Injured. Vince Wilfork? Injured. Aaron Hernandez? Killed some guys. Yet, they still locked up the 2nd seed, with 6 of their wins being within 3 points – showing that they can win the close ones. What does this mean?

It means we are going to see a really freaking awesome game.

Winner: The Colts may have expended their mojo against Kansas City. The Patriots take this.

The Mascots:

A horse versus a revolutionary. Revolutionaries have guns. No, that’s not another Aaron Hernandez joke…

Winner: Patriots have an unfair advantage as there is a weapon involved.

The Beer:

New England. They are based out of Boston, but the name means they are owned by the 6 states that make up “New England” – Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. That is almost mean. Especially with the Travel+Leisure article putting Portland, ME as #3, with Boston and Providence tied at #8…

Winner: New England

Prediction:

New England 32, Indianapolis 30